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Archive 2010Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
p.1 #1Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
Which lens do you prefer using? Should the Rokinon be used with an EF-S focusing screen? I'd love to hear your thoughts on these lenses (esp. the Rokinon).
May 11, 2010 at 04:46 PM
AmbientMike
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p.1 #2Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
I like my Rokinon, it has a wider aperture for less depth of field; the 85/1.8 has af, never used it though. You might pick whether af or dof is more important, not sure you'd see much difference in photos in terms of sharpness.
The Rokinon is very good and usable wide open, perhaps sharper than the Zeiss at that aperture based on other threads I have seen on this site. So iq good either way, I suspect.
The Rokinon is very good and usable wide open, perhaps sharper than the Zeiss at that aperture based on other threads I have seen on this site. So iq good either way, I suspect.
May 11, 2010 at 05:16 PM
p.1 #3Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
AmbientMike wrote:
I like my Rokinon, it has a wider aperture for less depth of field; the 85/1.8 has af, never used it though. You might pick whether af or dof is more important, not sure you'd see much difference in photos in terms of sharpness.
The Rokinon is very good and usable wide open, perhaps sharper than the Zeiss at that aperture based on other threads I have seen on this site. So iq good either way, I suspect.
Does the shallow DOF make MFing with the EF-A VF screen relatively easy and accurate?
I like my Rokinon, it has a wider aperture for less depth of field; the 85/1.8 has af, never used it though. You might pick whether af or dof is more important, not sure you'd see much difference in photos in terms of sharpness.
The Rokinon is very good and usable wide open, perhaps sharper than the Zeiss at that aperture based on other threads I have seen on this site. So iq good either way, I suspect.
Does the shallow DOF make MFing with the EF-A VF screen relatively easy and accurate?
May 11, 2010 at 05:20 PM
AmbientMike
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p.1 #4Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
Is the EF-A VF screen live view? Focusing at 1.4 is hard, you will need to zoom. Not sure 1.8 would be much easier. Are you shooting indoors? Outdoors bright light can make it hard to see the display.
I wouldn't call MF with this lens easy. I think shallow dof makes MF harder.
I wouldn't call MF with this lens easy. I think shallow dof makes MF harder.
May 11, 2010 at 05:33 PM
p.1 #5Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
I use it mainly on my 5D, and I think MF with it is easy. I use the EE-S screen, so that makes a difference. You gonna to need some practice.
In focus rate with the Rokinon could be up to 80%.
The large aperture makes the viewfinder very rate, that is a plus for focusing. DOF is shallow, but you'll learn
In focus rate with the Rokinon could be up to 80%.
The large aperture makes the viewfinder very rate, that is a plus for focusing. DOF is shallow, but you'll learn
May 11, 2010 at 05:45 PM
AmbientMike
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p.1 #6Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
I do not regret getting my 85/1.4, but I sometimes consider the 85 1.8 for the af. That said, af is off so many times maybe I should quit worrying.
May 11, 2010 at 05:51 PM
p.1 #7Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
if you are MFing with factory 5d screen, stop wasting time and get the ee-s it makes a world of difference.
May 11, 2010 at 05:56 PM
p.1 #8Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
Dpic_arctic wrote:
Does the shallow DOF make MFing with the EF-A VF screen relatively easy and accurate?
No. Faster lenses are more difficult to focus with the EF-A, because the EF-A is a piece of shit which is optimized for brightness (with f4 lenses, etc.) not for accuracy.
Regarding your main question; I own both of these lenses. I use the Rokinon for everything except AF (of course). What this means to me is that I have not used the EF since purchasing the Rokinon. I have been tempted to sell the EF many times over the past months. In fact, it has been sitting in its box for at least 3 months now.
I have owned much more "prestigious" 85mm lenses than the Rokinon and (for my uses) the Rokinon made them all irrelevant.
Why I like the Rokinon over the EF 85/1.8:
- It is just as sharp at f1.4 as the EF 85/1.8 is at 1.8
- It is f1.4
- It has much better manual focus action
- It has the best bokeh of any 85mm lens I have used (and absolutely stomps the EF 85/1.8 in this regard)
- It is cheaper than the EF 85/1.8
Bokeh? (scroll to right for EF 85/1.8, if you can't see them).
http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Rokinon/Test/full_images/85_comp_full_images.jpg
http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Rokinon/Test/corner_bokeh/85_comp_corner_bokeh.jpg
Does the shallow DOF make MFing with the EF-A VF screen relatively easy and accurate?
No. Faster lenses are more difficult to focus with the EF-A, because the EF-A is a piece of shit which is optimized for brightness (with f4 lenses, etc.) not for accuracy.
Regarding your main question; I own both of these lenses. I use the Rokinon for everything except AF (of course). What this means to me is that I have not used the EF since purchasing the Rokinon. I have been tempted to sell the EF many times over the past months. In fact, it has been sitting in its box for at least 3 months now.
I have owned much more "prestigious" 85mm lenses than the Rokinon and (for my uses) the Rokinon made them all irrelevant.
Why I like the Rokinon over the EF 85/1.8:
- It is just as sharp at f1.4 as the EF 85/1.8 is at 1.8
- It is f1.4
- It has much better manual focus action
- It has the best bokeh of any 85mm lens I have used (and absolutely stomps the EF 85/1.8 in this regard)
- It is cheaper than the EF 85/1.8
Bokeh? (scroll to right for EF 85/1.8, if you can't see them).
http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Rokinon/Test/full_images/85_comp_full_images.jpg
http://www.cogitech.ca/photos/Rokinon/Test/corner_bokeh/85_comp_corner_bokeh.jpg
May 11, 2010 at 06:18 PM
p.1 #9Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
kahren wrote:
if you are MFing with factory 5d screen, stop wasting time and get the ee-s it makes a world of difference.
+1
if you are MFing with factory 5d screen, stop wasting time and get the ee-s it makes a world of difference.
+1
May 11, 2010 at 06:19 PM
p.1 #10Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
AmbientMike wrote:
Is the EF-A VF screen live view? Focusing at 1.4 is hard, you will need to zoom. Not sure 1.8 would be much easier. Are you shooting indoors? Outdoors bright light can make it hard to see the display.
I wouldn't call MF with this lens easy. I think shallow dof makes MF harder.
The EF-A screen is the default focusing screen that comes with the 40D in the VF. I would be shooting in both conditions.
Is the EF-A VF screen live view? Focusing at 1.4 is hard, you will need to zoom. Not sure 1.8 would be much easier. Are you shooting indoors? Outdoors bright light can make it hard to see the display.
I wouldn't call MF with this lens easy. I think shallow dof makes MF harder.
The EF-A screen is the default focusing screen that comes with the 40D in the VF. I would be shooting in both conditions.
May 11, 2010 at 06:25 PM
p.1 #11Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
The EE-S is the 5D equiv to the EF-S for the 40D, correct?
May 11, 2010 at 06:25 PM
p.1 #12Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
Dpic_arctic wrote:
The EE-S is the 5D equiv to the EF-S for the 40D, correct?
Yes. Get one.
The EE-S is the 5D equiv to the EF-S for the 40D, correct?
Yes. Get one.
May 11, 2010 at 06:27 PM
p.1 #13Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
Hey gang,
I've kind of caught the "alt glass" bug as of late...well since I started using a 5DMK2. Could someone clue me in on the trade-offs with this alternative focus screens? I'm not very knowledgeable with focus screens and it seems to me they are not easy plug-n-play components to upgrade/install...hopefully I'm wrong.
Right now the EF lenses of choice I use are the 70-200 f/4L, 24-105 f/4L, 17-40 f/4L, and 100 2.8 macro. Would installing an "ees" focus screen negatively impact my use of these lenses while improving the use of lenses such as this 85mm Rokinon or say the Rokkor 58mm f/1.2?
Thanks,
Roy
I've kind of caught the "alt glass" bug as of late...well since I started using a 5DMK2. Could someone clue me in on the trade-offs with this alternative focus screens? I'm not very knowledgeable with focus screens and it seems to me they are not easy plug-n-play components to upgrade/install...hopefully I'm wrong.
Right now the EF lenses of choice I use are the 70-200 f/4L, 24-105 f/4L, 17-40 f/4L, and 100 2.8 macro. Would installing an "ees" focus screen negatively impact my use of these lenses while improving the use of lenses such as this 85mm Rokinon or say the Rokkor 58mm f/1.2?
Thanks,
Roy
May 11, 2010 at 06:42 PM
p.1 #14Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
lextalionis wrote:
Hey gang,
I've kind of caught the "alt glass" bug as of late...well since I started using a 5DMK2. Could someone clue me in on the trade-offs with this alternative focus screens? I'm not very knowledgeable with focus screens and it seems to me they are not easy plug-n-play components to upgrade/install...hopefully I'm wrong.
Right now the EF lenses of choice I use are the 70-200 f/4L, 24-105 f/4L, 17-40 f/4L, and 100 2.8 macro. Would installing an "ees" focus screen negatively impact my use of these lenses while improving the use of lenses such as this 85mm Rokinon or say the...Show more →
I just got my Ee-S for my 5D and I must tell you I am kicking myself for not getting it ages ago! Makes manual focus on the 5D dead easy. Things pop into focus and out again with lots more separation, and this allows easy and precise focusing. Get one.
Hey gang,
I've kind of caught the "alt glass" bug as of late...well since I started using a 5DMK2. Could someone clue me in on the trade-offs with this alternative focus screens? I'm not very knowledgeable with focus screens and it seems to me they are not easy plug-n-play components to upgrade/install...hopefully I'm wrong.
Right now the EF lenses of choice I use are the 70-200 f/4L, 24-105 f/4L, 17-40 f/4L, and 100 2.8 macro. Would installing an "ees" focus screen negatively impact my use of these lenses while improving the use of lenses such as this 85mm Rokinon or say the...Show more →
I just got my Ee-S for my 5D and I must tell you I am kicking myself for not getting it ages ago! Makes manual focus on the 5D dead easy. Things pop into focus and out again with lots more separation, and this allows easy and precise focusing. Get one.
May 11, 2010 at 06:55 PM
p.1 #15Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
lextalionis,
The screen is easy to install. It comes with a special tool and instructions. If you have difficulty with it, don't ever admit it.
The f4 zooms with an S-type screen will result in a slightly darker VF than you are used to, but they will still be entirely usable.
If you think of it this way, the choice is obvious:
Stock screen = bright VF with slow lenses and useless manual focusing with alt glass.
S-type screen = slightly darker VF with slow lenses and super-accurate manual focusing with alt glass.
Consider that all your slow glass is AF anyway, and the slightly darker VF is a moot point.
I use the S-type screen to manually focus glass from f1.2 all the way to f5.6 and I have no problem doing so (although, I have had a bit of practice).
The screen is easy to install. It comes with a special tool and instructions. If you have difficulty with it, don't ever admit it.
The f4 zooms with an S-type screen will result in a slightly darker VF than you are used to, but they will still be entirely usable.
If you think of it this way, the choice is obvious:
Stock screen = bright VF with slow lenses and useless manual focusing with alt glass.
S-type screen = slightly darker VF with slow lenses and super-accurate manual focusing with alt glass.
Consider that all your slow glass is AF anyway, and the slightly darker VF is a moot point.
I use the S-type screen to manually focus glass from f1.2 all the way to f5.6 and I have no problem doing so (although, I have had a bit of practice).
May 11, 2010 at 06:56 PM
p.1 #16Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
Dpic_arctic wrote:
The EE-S is the 5D equiv to the EF-S for the 40D, correct?
cogitech wrote:
Yes. Get one.
I could get the Rokinon and the EF-S screen and still would save almost $100 from the 85mm f/1.8!
The EE-S is the 5D equiv to the EF-S for the 40D, correct?
cogitech wrote:
Yes. Get one.
I could get the Rokinon and the EF-S screen and still would save almost $100 from the 85mm f/1.8!
May 11, 2010 at 07:11 PM
p.1 #17Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
Thanks for the quick reply guys...I'll have to look up on B&H or Amazon for the S-Type focus screen. I wonder why B&H doesn't offer this Rokinon? This lens isn't only for crop-sensor bodies is it?
Thanks,
Roy
Thanks,
Roy
May 11, 2010 at 07:13 PM
AmbientMike
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p.1 #18Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
With the oem factory screen in the 40D and 30D, I would have to say no to easy and accurate.
One tip: you might consider getting a Nikon or other mount with focus confirm adapter. Kind of wish I had done that, although I have not used focus confirm and cannot vouch for it.
I think you should get the Rokinon.
Roy: B+H has what appears to be the same lens in Vivitar and Bower mounts. This is a full frame lens. I think the Rokinon is only available from Cameta.
Cogitech: Was the 85/1.2 on film?
One tip: you might consider getting a Nikon or other mount with focus confirm adapter. Kind of wish I had done that, although I have not used focus confirm and cannot vouch for it.
I think you should get the Rokinon.
Roy: B+H has what appears to be the same lens in Vivitar and Bower mounts. This is a full frame lens. I think the Rokinon is only available from Cameta.
Cogitech: Was the 85/1.2 on film?
May 11, 2010 at 07:47 PM
p.1 #19Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
lextalionis wrote:
Thanks for the quick reply guys...I'll have to look up on B&H or Amazon for the S-Type focus screen. I wonder why B&H doesn't offer this Rokinon? This lens isn't only for crop-sensor bodies is it?
Thanks,
Roy
Actually, besides Cameta, there are several stores through Amazon that sell this lens, including Cameta.
Thanks for the quick reply guys...I'll have to look up on B&H or Amazon for the S-Type focus screen. I wonder why B&H doesn't offer this Rokinon? This lens isn't only for crop-sensor bodies is it?
Thanks,
Roy
Actually, besides Cameta, there are several stores through Amazon that sell this lens, including Cameta.
May 11, 2010 at 07:51 PM
p.1 #20Canon or Rokinon 85mm?
You might look for one that has a 14 day return or even 7 day tell them you are going to try one and send it back and get a 85/1.8 if you don't like it.
May 11, 2010 at 08:07 PM